Logan, and Maddie were still there. And knowing Smokey, he’d dragged Eliah to keep his brother company only because he was helpless against his lover and keeping him happy. Kicks wanted to judge him, but he was starting to understand a little too profoundly that same need.
When he saw the sign for River Crest coming into view, he glanced behind him, momentarily forgetting that Hawke had veered off to take Rory home. He pushed his bike a little faster, whipping up the A1A, letting the trees turn into a blur of green and brown. As he came to the entrance to his road, he slowed, but only long enough that he didn’t spin out on the sand.
He rumbled up the drive and let out a sudden, punched-out gasp of relief when he saw that it was empty. Everyone had taken off.
At least, he hoped.
Fear crept in under the anticipation of seeing Jude, of touching him and kissing him and making promises he honest-to-god planned to try and keep.
But what if he was too late? What if Jude bailed? What if Hydra had shown up?
It took all of his self-control to keep his hands from shaking and to take the time to put his kickstand down before he hurried up the porch steps. Inside, the living room was quiet, and he could hear his own heartbeat as he dropped his bag by the door and moved through the house.
For a moment, he thought his worst fear had come to life, then he came to a skidding halt in his doorway when he saw Jude on the floor. He blinked, he breathed, he watched him stretch his injured leg up toward his face.
It was the PT exercises—the ones he could do on his own. He was unharmed, safe, comfortable. He was in sweats and a tank-top, showing off his muscled biceps which were flexing as he pulled.
His head tipped backward when he heard Kicks come in, and his eyes shone with happiness at the sight of him. “You’re back.”
Kicks breathed out sharply, then nodded. “I’m back.” He felt frozen to the spot as he stared, drinking in this man—this gorgeous, perfect man. And then it was like a string snapped. His shoulders sagged, and his arms felt heavy, and an outside force dragged him across the floor and onto his knees.
It hurt a little, but not enough to stop him as he draped his thighs over Jude’s and leaned in to taste him. His mouth was cooler from being outside, but Jude’s was warm, and the contrast made his head spin. Jude tasted sweet, like his tea, and mint from brushing his teeth, and he smelled soft and clean like he’d just showered.
Kicks dug his tired fingers into Jude’s curls and held tight. “I missed you.”
Jude grinned up at him as Kicks pulled his head back. “I can see that. Terrible trip, was it?”
“Productive,” Kicks said, then thrust his hips a little. He was only half-hard, but that could easily change. He wanted a shower first and maybe a good meal, but he wanted this man more. “If I remember right, I have a promise to keep.”
Jude laughed, the sound like a balm on his frazzled nerves, and he reached one hand up to cup his cheeks. “How about you unwind a little first.”
Kicks groaned, dropping his face into the crook of Jude’s neck, and he breathed him in. “I guess I should shower. I probably smell rank.”
“I don’t mind it,” Jude murmured, his voice dropping an octave. “But if you want to shower, I can make you something to eat. And then we can see about those promises.” When Kicks didn’t move, Jude grabbed him by the back of his hair and pulled. That succeeded in making his cock thicken, and he thrust a little even as he was forced back. “Do you need a firm hand?”
Kicks swallowed thickly, afraid to say yes, but more afraid to say no. “I…”
Jude released his hair and instead, pinched his chin. When his lips parted, he slipped two fingers in, resting them along Kicks’ tongue. “Mm. Good. That’s very good. I think you should shower, love. And eat. We have all the time in the world, after all.”
And god help him, but they did.
Kicks didn’t get off in the shower, and the result was coming out still heavy and thick with desire. His balls hung between his legs, too full and desperate to release. His dick was a little too sensitive, and he groaned